The Ljubljana Blog

Carnival 2009 in Ljubljana

2009-02-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Phoning in search of an honest man

2008-11-24T04:45:00.000-08:00

"If Diogenes today tried to repeat his search for an honest man, he might want to trade his lantern for a cell phone. And, instead of looking in Athens, he'd do better heading to Ljubljana, Slovenia. And staying away from Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur.

Reader's Digest decided to test the honesty of people around the world, so they had reporters in the largest cities in 32 countries 'lose' 30 cell phones in each location. The reporters then called each phone, and if a passerby picked up the phone and answered, asked if the person would return the phone. If the passerby picked up the phone without answering, they waited to see if the person would call one of the numbers programmed into the phone directory to try to find its owner.

In Ljubljana, smallest of the cities, with a population of about 267,000, 29 of the 30 phones were returned. In Hong Kong and the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, there were a meager 13 returns."

Source: chicagotribune.com

Queen Elizabeth II visiting Slovenia

2008-10-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

This just in... according to sources at the British Embassy in Ljubljana, "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is visiting Slovenia today for two days. She will visit Lipica, Ljubljana castle, attend a Duke of Edinburgh Award ceremony at the Philharmonic and will go on a walk about Ljubljana at 14.30 tomorrow (Wednesday 22 October). For all those Brits and other expats who like to see her please feel free to come along, together with your friends and family, to Preseren Square for 14.30."

Days of European Cultural Heritage

2008-09-19T12:26:00.001-07:00

The 2008 edition of The Days of European Cultural Heritage, organized under the initiative of the European Council and European Union, will be taking place from 20 to 27 September. This year the event will be dedicated to the life and work of Primož Trubar, one of Slovenia's most famous poets, father of the written Slovenian language, and leader of the Protestant movement in Slovenia

"Each year, the Slovenian Days of European Cultural Heritage feature a wide and varied programme of events organised by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia in collaboration with numerous institutions, societies and individuals."

Via Ljubljana.si

Summer Event Gap :-o)

2008-09-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we missed a good bit of reporting on summer activities (everything actually) including the granddaddy of events, the Ljubljana Summer Festival. We will try to make it up, however, with more attentive coverage of events happening this fall, and there will be a good number of them.

Druga godba alternative music festival

2008-05-21T02:54:00.000-07:00

Ljubljana's "Druga godba" (alternative music) festival is now underway until May 28th at Cankarjev dom, Križanke, and other local venues.

According to Ljubljana Life magazine, "the festival presents a variety of ethno and other styles, including new jazz, that generally do not appear at traditional music events in Slovenia. It has been on Ljubljana's music scene for over twenty years, and attracts a good number of musicians from around the world to the stages of Ljubljana's local venues, including Križanke, Cankarjev dom, and various city streets and squares. They acts may not all be well known, but the consensus is that the music is usually first rate."

More info at www.drugagodba.si

Tivoli Park Photo Exhibition

2008-04-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

Am outdoor photographic exhibition by the world-renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand is currently on display until May 29 at the Jakopič promenade in Ljubljana's Tivoli Park. The photographic exhibition, prepared by members of his international photographic foundation GoodPlanet.org, is titled Alive and features "wildlife photographs accompanied by facts and figures on human intervention in nature and issues related to the survival of animal species".

Ljubljana Carnival Festivities

2008-02-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

This year's carnival celebration will kick off in Ljubljana tomorrow with a lively procession that will include traditional Slovenian themed carnival figures as well as figures from other countries. The procession will start at 11am at Krek square and proceed to Slovenska street via Prešeren square, with festivities winding up at about 4pm.

New Year's Eve in Ljubljana

2007-12-31T11:56:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the night for Ljubljana's big open-air New Year's Eve celebrations, which will be taking place at Prešernov trg, Mestni trg and Kongresni trg, along with the city's traditional midnight fireworks display launched from the top of Ljubljana's Castle Hill to mark the beginning of the new year.

Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe)

2007-11-08T02:36:00.000-08:00

"The 18th Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe), the biggest event of its kind in Slovenia, will feature over 100 films from around the globe between 7 to 21 November. The festival will open with the independent US production 'The Darjeeling Limited' by Wes Anderson.

Special attention will be given to national cinematographies and tributes to masters of contemporary film, LIFFe's new programme director Simon Popek told the press on Tuesday. Film lovers will have two full weeks to see the very best of world cinematographies packed into twelve programme sections according to type of film."

Source: GCO

Naked Stage - 6th international improvisational theatre festival

2007-10-19T02:27:00.000-07:00

The 6th international Naked Stage improvisational theatre festival will be taking place from 23 - 28 October and from 2 - 6 November at KUD France Prešeren, Karunova ulica 14.

"The Naked Stage (Goli oder) festival has made a name for itself as one of the most important festivals of improvisational theatre in the European and North American region. Placing a special emphasis on the experimental dimension of improvisational theatre, it offers an interesting selection of contemporary improvisational theatre productions."

Via Ljubljana.si

More information: www.goli-oder.org.

1st Slovenian Flamenco Festival - SIFF

2007-10-19T02:13:00.000-07:00

This month will see Ljubljana hosting the very first "Slovenian Flamenco Festival" which will take place at various venues through October 22nd and will consist of music workshops and concerts dedicated to traditional Spanish flamenco music and dance. The festival will feature numerous world renowned flamenco artists, including the famous Spanish guitarist Paco Peña.

More information is available at www.siff.si.

Ex Ponto - 14th international festival of contemporary theatre

2007-09-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

Ljubljana's Ex Ponto festival will be taking place at various venues arount the cety centre from 11 through 26 September.

"Ex Ponto is an international festival of contemporary theatre focusing on theatre productions dealing with provocative, socially relevant themes. In the Slovenian cultural area it is considered to be one of the major international theatre festivals. It is accompanied by a programme of exhibitions, dance performances, multimedia projects, film screenings, concerts, etc."

More information is available at www.exponto.net.

Via Ljubljana.si

27th Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts

2007-09-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

This year's Biennial of Graphic arts in now underway at Ljubljana's International Centre for Graphic Arts through 28 October.

"The Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts is the world's biggest and one of the most renowned events of the kind. During its 50-year history it has received huge acclaim from artists, experts and public alike. This time, the Biennial is centred around a groundbreaking moment in the history of arts when the notion of the original and the copy was dramatically changed by technological possibilities in reproducible art. Going back to the Renaissance, reproducible art had a crucial impact on the 20th century art and is still relevant today."

Via Ljubljana.si

48th Ljubljana Jazz Festival

2007-06-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

This year's Ljubljana Jazz Festival will be taking place at Cankarjev dom from the 28th through the 30th of June.

"Bringing together big names in international jazz, Ljubljana Jazz Festival traditionally attracts music lovers from both Slovenia and abroad. The forthcoming 48th edition of the Festival will feature artists such as Tomasz Stanko, Matthew Shipp, Bill Laswell, Nils Petter Molvaer, Vlatko Stefanovski, Omar Sosa and several others."

Via Ljubljana.si

Midsummer Night on the Ljubljanica River

2007-06-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

We're not really sure if this is anything to get excited about, but apparently there will be some kind of procession of decorated boats heading down the Ljubljanica tomorrow evening starting at 10pm.

Ljubljana Street Theatre

2007-06-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

Ljubljana's Ana Desetnica festival is an annual festival of street theatre, now in its 10th year. This year's festival will feature numerous performances by international street artists and will take place from 27 June 'til 1 July at various open air locations. So if you happen to be wandering about in Ljubljana's old town be sure to keep your eyes open for clowns, circus performers, actors, jugglers, fire eaters, musicians, dancers, and other unexpected surprises!

Marilyn Manson in Ljubljana

2007-06-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the Marilyn Manson concert is indeed happening in Ljubljana tonight. Passing by the Krizanke concert complex earlier today, it was a bit strange to feel the ground outside rattling during the rehearsal. Curiosity got the best of us and we almost managed to sneak inside for a closer look but unfortunately got turned back by the guards at the inner gate. Parked outside the complex were two huge trucks and a couple of tour buses belonging to Manson's ground crew.

Ljubljana Festival 2007

2007-06-19T04:23:00.000-07:00

Ljubljana Life Magazine has just published an overview of this year's Ljubljana Summer Festival:

"Most performances will take place at the Križanke summer theatre, an architectural jewel and a rather unique complex designed by the famous Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik. Other performances will also take place high above the city at the Ljubljana Castle, as well as at the traditional and more intimate Slovenian Philharmonic Hall, and also at the vast and modern Gallus Hall of the Cankarjev dom Centre.

The Ljubljana Summer Festival will be very generous to opera lovers this year. Six opera performances will greatly enrich the musical atmosphere of the metropolis during the long hot days of summer. The Festival will start (July 2nd, additional performances on July 4th and 5th) with the new co-production by the Ljubljana and Maribor Opera Theatres of Borodin's work Prince Igor."

Via Ljubljana Life Magazine

Ljubljana Attracting More and More Visitors

2007-06-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

"Slovenia's capital is attracting a growing number of visitors from the country and abroad. According to statistics released by the Ljubljana Tourist Board on Wednesday, 6 June, tourist info points in Ljubljana recorded 69,079 visitors in the first five months of the year, up 33% year-on-year.

In May alone the number of visitors stood at 20,288, which is up 41% over the same month last year."

Source: STA

Aussie wins Slovenia Big Brother Contest

2007-06-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

An Australian contestant on Slovenia's popular Big Brother reality TV show has claimed the grand prize this weekend:

"HE'S got a Big Brother house right at his doorstep, but Aussie Andrej Novak travelled all the way to Slovenia to compete on the reality TV series - and won.

The 27-year-old Gold Coaster took home €75,000 ($120,000) on claiming the top prize in the Central European nation's first BB series.

Novak, who has a Slovenian background, spoke mostly English in the house because he didn't feel confident using the native tongue.

Always a scene stealer, he was one of 12 housemates who entered the 300sq m house in the capital Ljubljana on March 17."

Source: News.com.au

Summer Museum Night

2007-06-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

This year's Summer Museum Night in Ljubljana will take place on 16 June from 10am til Midnight:

"Museum Summer Night, an annual summer event organised by Ljubljana's museums and galleries, will feature a programme of workshops, demonstrations, film screenings, concerts, etc. concluding with a party held at the International Graphic Arts Centre, located in the Tivoli Mansion (Grad Tivoli). Admission to all museums and galleries will be free"

Via Ljubljana.si

Update:
Apart from looking at the museum exhibitions until late in the evening, visitors will also be allowed to engage in various activities such as fine art workshops for children, students, and adults, lectures and performances, films and video presentations, as well as guided visits, music, etc.

Here is the full list of museums and galleries in Ljubljana taking part in the event (apologies in advance for not translating the titles from Slovene, but if you're thinking of visiting any this weekend, it would be helpful to know the Slovene names anyway ;-)

Arhitekturni muzej Ljubljana, Bežigrajska galerija 1 in 2, Cankarjev dom, Društvo likovnih umetnikov Ljubljana, Galerija Ars, Galerija Fotografija, Galerija Hest, Galerija Hest 35, Galerija Kresija, Galerija Škuc, KUD France Prešeren, Ljubljanski grad, Mala galerija, Mednarodni grafični likovni center, Mestni muzej Ljubljana, Moderna galerija Ljubljana, Muzej novejše zgodovine Slovenije, Narodna galerija, Narodni muzej Slovenije, Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije, Mestna galerija Ljubljana, Muzej športa, Slovenski etnografski muzej, Slovenski šolski muzej, Tehniški muzej Slovenije, Zavod za kiparstvo v Grubarjevi kiparski galeriji, Železniški muzej Slovenskih železnic.

Ljubljana Summer Festival 2007

2007-06-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Ljubljana Summer Festival will take place from 26 June through 14 September. The festival offers a very rich and diverse musical programme featuring well-known artists from across the globe.

"Ljubljana Festival is Slovenia's oldest event of its kind. Its beginnings date back to 1952, when the Ljubljana Tourist Society organized the first Tourist Week to be followed a year later by the first edition of Ljubljana Festival. Every year, the Festival, organised by the Festival Ljubljana event management company, attracts about 50,000 visitors from Slovenia and abroad.

Highlights of this year’s festival will include performances by State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Marjana Lipovšek, Vadim Repin, Krzysztof Penderecki and many others."

More information is available at: www.ljubljanafestival.si.

Via Ljubljana.si

National Gallery Displays Model of Giotto's Chapel

2007-06-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ljubljana's National Gallery has opened an exhibition of the famous early Italian Renaissance artist Giotto, along with six of his contemporaries. The exhibition, which lasts until September 30, includes a 1/3 scale model of Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel in the Italian city of Padova,

"The model preserves well the beauty of Giotto's masterpiece, said Davide Banzato, the head of the Padova Civic Museums. He added that Giotto was the central arts figure in the Italian city in the 14th century.

"Giotto painted over 700 square metres of the Scrovegni family chapel. One of his most striking images is on the arched ceiling, which he embellished with more than 800 stars on a blue background."

Via GCO

Iron Maiden Starts European Tour in Ljubljana

2007-06-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

British heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, started its summer European tour at Ljubljana's Bezigrad stadium on Saturday. The current tour marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the band's seminal album "The Number of the Beast". Their first album, "Iron Maiden" was released in 1980, and quickly rose to the top of British music charts. During Saturday's concert in Ljubljana the band played songs from their latest album "A Matter of Life and Death" as well as many older hits.

Little Slovenia, part of the Big Fiber Dream �

2007-06-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Om Malik, a well-known technology industry figure, has published an interesting article about Slovenia's plans for deploying fiber optic cables directly to individual homes in the country:

"Slovenia is one of those tiny nations you may have heard off but may have difficulty finding on the map. Independent for about 16 years, the country with a population of over 2 million was carved out of the old Yugoslavia. Despite its diminutive size, it is one of the important players in the fiber-to-the-home revolution that is slowly sweeping the world.

The local incumbent, Telekom Slovenije, has launched a project, F2, a massive fiber to the home project that will get 50,000 Slovenian homes fiber-based broadband access. That may not sound like much, but it still is an important piece that adds to the overall FTTH deployments worldwide, which are slowly and steadily increasing."

Anyone who is interested to find out more about Telekom Slovenia's plans should checkout the interesting commentary at the end of the article.

Source: GigaOM

Ljubljana Wine Fair

2007-05-29T01:41:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Ljubljana wine fair titled "Moje vino" (My Wine) will take place at the Ljubljana Fairgrounds from the 31st of May until the 2nd of June.

The fair will feature an international wine competition followed by a Slovenian wine makers' and vintners' show. Visitors to the fair are welcome to join wine tasting sessions as well as learn about various wine-related topics, such as the best ways to serve wines with various foods, etc.

300 Years of the Ljubljana Cathedral

2007-05-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

"The Ljubljana cathedral, also referred to as the Church of St. Nicholas, is located where a church dedicated to St. Nicholas already stood in the Middle Ages. It was consecrated on 8 May 1707.
The baroque hall church was built between 1701 and 1706 according to plans by Jesuit architect Andrea Pozzo, the dome however was not finished before the 19th century.
The church's surviving Baroque interior includes frescoes by Giulio Quaglio, the statues of four bishops of Emona by sculptor Angelo Putti, Putti's painting of Dean Janez Anton Dolnicar, the initiator of the church's construction, and altar angels by sculptures Francesco Robba and the brothers Paolo and Giuseppe Groppelli."

Via GCO

Lipizzaner Day in Ljubljana

2007-05-17T02:47:00.000-07:00

On Saturday 19 May, the Lipica Equestrian Center will mark Lipizzaner Day in cooperation with the Ljubljana Tourism Board. Two carriages drawn by Lipizzaner horses will be brought from Lipica, along with one from the Hungarian Szilvasvarad Equestrian Center with five Lipizzaner horses. Courtesy of the Lipica Equestrian Center, the people of Ljubljana will be offered free carriage rides between Krek and Prešeren Squares from 10 am to 1 pm. The first festive ride will be taken by the Mayor of the Ljubljana, Zoran Janković.

Druga Godba Music Festival

2007-05-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

The 23th Druga Godba International Festival of alternative & world music will take place in Ljubljana from 21 to 28 May.

"The Druga Godba festival of ethnic, world and, to a lesser extent, contemporary jazz music, celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year. This year's edition of the festival will bring together 12 artists from 14 countries from all the five continents. The line-up will notably include the world's most popular tango-fusion band Gotan Project and the renowned Portuguese fado singer Mariza (pictured above)."

For more information, visit the festival's official website.

Via Ljubljana.si

Laibach in Ljubljana

2007-05-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Slovene industrial rock band Laibach will be performing in Ljubljana on Friday, May 18th at the Križanke Summer Theatre, Trg francoske revolucije 1

"Laibach is an internationally renowned Slovenian alternative band who developed their distinctive artistic expression in collaboration with the NSK (Neue Slowenische Kunst) artistic movement. Laibach's music is a unique mixture of industrial, rock, contemporary classical and electronic music. Using the provocative symbolism and aesthetics related to totalitarian ideologies, the band, founded in 1980, won recognition as a distinctive cultural phenomenon back in the times when Slovenia was still part of the communist Yugoslavia."

Via Ljubljana.si

Giant Strawberry Cake Invades Ljubljana!

2007-04-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

In yet another attempt to put Slovenia into the Guinness Book of World Records, the Swiss-based catering company Marche baked a 400-metre-long strawberry cake and offered 5,000 slices at € 1 each to crowds in Ljubljana's Zvezda Park on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale went to a charity helping children with cancer and blood-related diseases. The gigantic cake contained over 1,000 kilos of strawberries and 500 kilos of dough.

Interview with Ljubljana's Mayor

2007-04-26T03:25:00.000-07:00

The spring edition of Ljubljana Life magazine has published an interesting interview with Ljubljana's recently elected mayor, Zoran Jankovic. In the interview he describes how his current job is a seemingly minor evolutionary step from the work of his previous job as CEO of Slovenia's largest retailer, Mercator. Also of note is how he describes his ideal vision of Ljubljana as a cross between Barcelona and Vienna.

For anyone interested to read the full interview, it is also posted online.

Graduation Dancing Parade

2007-04-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

"Get ready for the ground to shake, as well as countless traffic problems, as Ljubljana's secondary school graduates will perform yet another Guinness record-breaking synchronous quadrille dance parade in 36 towns and cities across Slovenia and beyond."

The parade will take place on 18 May at 12:00. For more information contact the Ljubljana tourist center, Tel: +386 1 306 12 15, tic@ljubljana-tourism.si.

Via Ljubljana Life Magazine

Slovene Music Days Festival

2007-04-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the long gap following the previous post. There is always a lot happening on the Slovenian musical and cultural scene, but we'll do the best we can to keep up with major events such as this year's Slovene Music Days festival at Philharmonic Hall, which is just coming to a close (22 - 25 April).

Slovene Music Days is an annual festival of contemporary Slovene music. This year's festival programme comprised a range of concerts of classical music featuring mainly works by contemporary Slovenian composers performed by well-known Slovene orchestras (the RTV Orchestra, the RTV Big Band, and the Slovene Philharmonic) as well as soloists.

The theme of this year's festival was about music and globalisation. For more info contact Festival Ljubljana, Tel: +386 1 241 60 00, info@ljubljanafestival.si.

Ljubljana's funicular tram

2007-01-30T10:21:00.001-08:00

Here is a view from Ljubljana's new funicular tram, which went into operation at the end of 2006 and has proven to be a hit with tourists and locals alike. The cost for a one-way ticket on the tram, which connects the main city marketplace to the Ljubljana Castle, is 2 euro.

"The idea of building a funicular leading to the castle was first considered at the end of the 19th century by the then mayor of Ljubljana, Ivan Hribar. In his letter to the Austro-Hungarian authorities he wrote: 'As the rooms [of Ljubljana Castle] offer an enchanting view, and the castle's shady courtyard could easily be put to a good use, the castle would – if a lift was built and a fare of ten kreutzers or less was charged for a ride to the top – always be well visited, particularly so on summer evenings.' Mayor Hribar's vision, dating back to 1897, will this year turn to reality."
Via Ljubljana Life Magazine

Slovenian Day of Culture

2007-01-30T09:49:00.000-08:00

Slovenia's Day of Culture will take place on February 8, and admission to most of Ljubljana's public museums and galleries will be free. "The Slovenian Day of Culture is a public holiday commemorating the death anniversary of France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet. France Prešeren (1800-1849) was a Romantic poet who made a name for himself also for his endeavours to modernize the Slovenian language. He is particularly renowned for his sonnets."
Via Ljubljana.si

Plečnik Year in Slovenia

2007-01-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the Slovenia's most famous architect Jože Plečnik. In addition to the opening of a special exhibit in the National Gallery "Plečnik Year will also be marked by numerous other events held in Ljubljana. The Architecture Museum of Ljubljana has currently been re-staging its permanent Plečnik exhibition. To further mark Plečnik Year, it will run a series of lectures and expert guided tours of Plečnik's Ljubljana. The tours, available free of charge, will be run every first Saturday of the month, each time drawing special attention to a different masterpiece of Plečnik's."
Via Ljubljana.si

Holiday Concerts in Ljubljana

2006-12-19T01:56:00.001-08:00

Between the Christmas and New Year holidays there will be an ongoing programme of live outdoor music organized by the City of Ljubljana. Two separate series of live concerts will be taking place every evening at Prešernov trg and Dvorni Trg squares, and on New Year's eve there will also be live concerts organized at Mestni trg and Kongresni trg squares.

Although most of the music has little if any connection with the holidays per se, the concerts nonetheless contribute to the festive holiday atmosphere in Ljubljana's town center (unless, perhaps, you are one of the local residents who must suffer the nightly onslaught of high decibel noise). More info can be found on the Ljubljana Tourism website.

Here is the list of scheduled events for the Prešernov trg concert programme:

Nuša Derenda (Slovenia) - pop
26.12.2006 | 20.00-22.00

Siddharta (Slovenia) - rock
27.12.2006 | 20.00-22.00

Gibonni (Croatia) - pop
28.12.2006 | 20.00-22.00

Kingston (Slovenia) - pop
29.12.2006 | 20.00-22.00

Neisha (Slovenia) - pop
30.12.2006 | 20.00-22.00

Natalija Verboten (Slovenia) - folk pop
1.1.2007 | 20.00-22.00

Oliver Dragojević (Croatia) - pop
2.1.2007 | 20.00-22.00

Fairy-Tale Town at Zvezda Park

2006-12-19T01:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas is soon approaching, and numerous events designed for children of all ages will be taking place at various locations in Ljubljana's town center. The central point for many such happenings will be the Fairy Tale Town at Zvezda park (Kongresni trg).

"The magical events held at the Fairy-Tale Town, traditionally built in the Zvezda park, will this year be intended for both children and adults. A large pyramid erected in the centre of the Fairy-Tale Town will be housing a lush tropical garden, where visitors, surrounded by exotic plants, the sounds of birds and animals, and many other things quite unusual for Ljubljana in winter, will be able to relax and, at least for a little while, forget about the cold. Throughout the day, the Fairy-Tale Town will be hosting interesting events."

Programme of events:

* 10:30-12:30: creative workshops for children
* 16:00-17:00: programme of children's events
* 19:00-21:00: performances by street theatre groups accompanied by a musical programme

Via Ljubljana.si

Festive December

2006-12-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that time of year again... Ljubljana's festively decorated city center will come alive from 3 December to 2 January 2007 with a range of events intended for people of all ages. Here is just a short intro of what to expect. More details will follow in coming days...

The month-long festival traditionally begins on December 3 with an event called "Let's Turn on the Light!" which celebrates the start of the festive season with the lighting up of the Christmas street lights. It will culminate on 31 December with open-air New Year's Eve celebrations taking place at Presernov trg, Mestni trg and Kongresni trg, along with a traditional fireworks display launched from the Ljubljana Castle to mark the beginning of the new year.

Throughout the entire month of celebrations, decorated stalls at the marketplace and along the river will be selling trinkets and other items suitable for holiday gifts, and of course, hot drinks and snacks will be available everywhere.

CHRISTMAS CRIBS
Delightfully decorated Christmas cribs will be on display throughout the holiday season at the following locations, all with free admission:
The Church at Krizanke (11 - 21 Dec). Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
The Chapel of St George at the Ljubljana Castle (25 Dec - 2 Feb). Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas (24 Dec - 2 Feb).
The Franciscan Church at Preseren square (24 Dec - 2 Feb).

GRANDPA FROST PROCESSIONS
From 26-30 December at 17:00, Grandpa Frost (no relation to Jack Frost) will be parading along the following route: Krekov trg - Ciril-Metodov trg - Mestni trg - Stritarjeva ulica - Presernov trg - Wolfova ulica - Zvezda Park. Grandpa Frost (Dedek Mraz in Slovene) is a friendly old man who, like his well-known cousin Santa from up North, visits the children each year and gives them presents. Accompanied by a procession of animals and fairy-tale creatures, he will be passing through the streets of Ljubljana towards the Fairy-Tale Town at Zvezda Park.

Via Ljubljana Life Magazine.

Ski Fair

2006-11-22T02:30:00.000-08:00

Tjhe Snežinka Ski Club will organize a winter ski fair on Dec. 3 at the Ljubljana Fairgrounds. The fair will present regional ski centers from Slovenia and neighboring countries, and will also serves as a sales and exhibition space for new and used skiing equipment.

Giuseppe Verdi's Aida

2006-11-22T02:03:00.000-08:00

Coming Dec. 2 at Tivoli Hall (Hala Tivoli). "This spectacular production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, one of the most popular operas ever written, combines a monumental set design... with three-dimensional video images, lush costumes and pyrotechnic effects. The production, whose cast includes as many as 240 performers, is directed by the Italian opera director Pier' Alli. " More info at Ljubljana.si

22nd Slovenian Book Fair

2006-11-16T14:11:00.000-08:00

The 22nd Slovenian Book Fair will be taking place at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana from 28 Nov to 3 Dec. An accompanying programme of events will include public debates at the fair's café, publishers' forums, presentations of bestsellers and other new books, shows for children, lectures by foreign experts, an awards ceremony, and more.

Bryan Adams in Slovenia

2006-11-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

Canadian Rock legend Bryan Adams, who has been performing as a singer, guitarist and songwriter for more than a quarter century, is currently on tour and will be playing at Hala Tivoli in Ljubljana on Sunday, November 26. Tickets are available online for 39.64 EUR at the following website but they may disappear quickly.

9th Slovenian Wine Festival

2006-11-15T03:37:00.000-08:00

This year's Slovenian wine festival will feature more than 300 varieties of Slovenian and foreign wines, along with discussions by local wine producers, guided tastings, workshops, and lectures. At the Hotel Slon from from 16 to 18 November.

And speaking of wine, here are some pictures of last weekends St Martin's day celebration of young wine fresh from this year's harvest. The expat dinner event was organized at a local gostilna by the International Club of Slovenia.

Sila Bazaar

2006-11-15T03:28:00.000-08:00

This year's Sila Bazaar will take place on 25 November at the Ljubljana Fairgrounds (Dunajska 18).
The spouses of foreign ambassadors in Ljubljana and other members of SILA, an international women's association, organize a bazaar each year where interesting products from around the world are sold. The funds collected are donated to various charities in SLovenia. Attendance is in the thousands, so best to show up early.

17th Ljubljana Film Festival

2006-11-15T03:23:00.000-08:00

The 17th Ljubljana Film Festival is now underway. The 17th edition of Ljubljana's popular international film festival will showcase over a hundred films from around the world over the course of a two-week period ending on November 24. Numerous foreign and domestic guests will be invited to speak about their careers in film and share their personal film experiences. More information is available on the official website, including an overview of film categories and the accompanying program.

Welcome to the Ljubljana Blog

2006-11-15T02:44:00.000-08:00

This is our very first entry. More news about Ljubljana to follow...